The roosters had not yet crowed, and the sky outside the window remained dim.

“Master!”

Chen Ji suddenly sat up from his bed, still shaken.

It was only when he saw Xiaoman dozing by his bedside that he suddenly realized it had all been a dream. In the dream, he saw Old Man Yao charging up to the Martial Temple on Changbai Mountain, a meteorite-like Sword Seed piercing through his chest, staining the pristine white snow on the mountaintop crimson with blood.

Master went to kill Lu Yang… but that’s Lu Yang we’re talking about.

Chen Ji only hoped that the sharp-tongued old man wouldn’t do anything foolish. He didn’t have to ascend to the 49th Heaven; wouldn’t staying in the human world be fine too?

Besides, Lu Yang was so old. If he just stayed hidden in Ning Dynasty, he could outlive the man.

Once Lu Yang died of old age, he would immediately go to the Martial Temple and kill his disciple. By then, Lu Yang’s disciple would likely have only just begun cultivating the Sword Seed, making them easy to kill.

If you can’t beat the old, beat the young.

At this moment, Xiaoman, cradling a small black cat, groggily opened her eyes and asked, “What’s wrong, Young Master? Did you have that old nightmare again?”

Chen Ji was silent for a moment. “No. What time is it?”

Xiaoman replied, “The fourth watch drum just sounded; it’s still early.”

Chen Ji threw back the covers, got out of bed, and looked around his new dwelling.

The exquisite, covered bed was carved with patterns of qilin delivering children. The bedding was made of gilded satin, filled with silk floss. On a distant desk lay the Four Treasures of the Study, beside which stood a bronze censer with wisps of green smoke gently rising from it.

This was no longer the cramped shared room of the Taiping Medical Clinic. He no longer needed to fetch water from a street away early in the morning, nor did he need to sweep floors or clear snow.

Chen Ji suddenly said, “Xiaoman, once I’ve finished everything I need to do, let’s go back to Luocheng to live.”

Xiaoman’s eyes lit up. “That would be nice! Sister Liqiu is still in Luocheng; I wonder if she’s already married and moved out of the manor.”

Chen Ji smiled and asked, “Do you want me to help you write a letter?”

Xiaoman lowered her head. “No need, there’s not really much to say. Sister Liqiu said that maids like us have the lives of little cats and dogs—we follow our master wherever they go and shouldn’t dwell on past people or events.”

“You’re not a little cat or dog anymore, you’re Xiaoman,” Chen Ji said, rolling up his sleeves. “Where are the buckets and carrying pole? I’ll go fill the water vats in the side room.”

Xiaoman, hugging the black cat, widened her eyes. “Young Master, you don’t need to do these things. The manor has footmen specifically for fetching water.”

Chen Ji walked out. “It’s fine, I’m just idling anyway. I like fetching water… Where’s the well?”

“Who likes fetching water?” Xiaoman thought for a moment and said, “Go right after you exit the Ginkgo Courtyard… Never mind, I’ll take you, Young Master.”

As the two walked out, one after the other, they saw a footman approaching with a lantern. “Young Master!”

Chen Ji stopped. “What is it?”

The footman hurried to say, “The Old Patriarch has summoned you to the Wen Dan Hall for questioning.”

Chen Ji glanced at the dim sky. “Now?”

The footman nodded. “Yes, the First Master, Second Master, and Third Master have already gone.”

Chen Ji turned to Xiaoman and instructed, “Go find the buckets and carrying pole and leave them in the courtyard. I’ll go see what’s happening.”

Xiaoman whispered, “No, I’ll go with you. Second Sister specifically told me last night to watch over you carefully, to guard against any underhanded tricks they might try.”

Chen Ji asked, puzzled, “Your Second Sister specifically warned you about this?”

Xiaoman pulled a piece of paper from her sleeve, turned her back, and showed it to Chen Ji. “Look, Second Sister wrote down all the tricks she’d heard about in the Xu family and told me to be careful. There are footmen who deliberately lead people to trespass in forbidden areas; and some bribe midwives to falsely report stillbirths. They have such cruel hearts! After a child is born, the midwife would directly smother the infant and claim it was born without a heartbeat. We don’t need to guard against that particular one just yet, but once you get married, Young Master, I’ll help you keep an eye on the midwife…”

Chen Ji took the paper and saw that Zhang Xia had densely written over eighty precautions on it: for example, someone burying voodoo dolls in the courtyard to frame people; long-term poisoning through incompatible foods; tampering with land deeds; or administering drugs before ancestral rites, causing one to miss important ceremonies…

The list was a chaotic mishmash of various schemes, but behind each item was a price paid in blood.

Zhang Xia, fearing she might miss something, had written everything down in meticulous detail.

Chen Ji handed the paper back to Xiaoman. “Keep it safe. You should go back, lest someone hide things in the courtyard to frame us while we’re away.”

Xiaoman gasped, “You’re right! Then, Young Master, please be careful.”

Chen Ji hummed in acknowledgment, lifted the hem of his robe, and followed the footman deeper into Qinzheng Garden. Along the way, maids and footmen bustled to and fro in an endless stream, while the back kitchen was brightly lit and teeming with activity.

In the early morning, the Chen Manor didn’t resemble a grand residence so much as a meticulously rehearsed temple fair stage during the Lantern Festival.

And behind this clamor, Chen Ji also saw hidden guards, standing at every intersection with swords ready. As Chen Ji and the footman passed, some of these hidden guards, seeing an unfamiliar face, would scrutinize him carefully before averting their gaze.

Chen Ji and the footman walked one behind the other through the secluded “Little Penglai.” He remained vigilant, observing his surroundings, until he saw the distant light of Wen Dan Hall. Still, nothing happened.

Chen Ji looked up and saw the eight vermilion doors of Wen Dan Hall standing open.

Above the Wen Dan Hall hung a plaque with three large characters painted in gold lacquer: “Venerate the Master’s Way.”

To the left, a couplet read: “Though impoverished to the bone, a shred of livelihood remains; better to read than to starve.”

To the right, another couplet read: “If learning brings no satisfaction, then countless trials are needed; scholarship leads to success.”

It turned out that the Wen Yun Hall in the Chen Manor of Luocheng had been modeled after this place.

Inside the hall, Chen Luchí, the Chen family patriarch, sat formally in a Grand Tutor’s chair. Chen Liqin and another unfamiliar middle-aged man sat on either side, all three wearing red official robes. The unfamiliar middle-aged man was presumably the head of the Second Branch, Chen Lizhi.

Outside the hall, Chen Wenzong and two other young men stood silently, hands at their sides.

At this moment, hearing footsteps, everyone looked up at Chen Ji, as if it were a joint trial by three courts, their official authority palpable.

Chen Ji stopped outside the hall, cupped his hands, and said, “Unworthy descendant Chen Ji greets the Patriarch.”

Elder Grand Secretary Chen, with his white hair and lean physique, was draped in an official robe, like wearing a large cloak. “Come closer,” he said.

Chen Ji lifted the hem of his robe, stepped over the threshold, and stood straight in the lamplight of Wen Dan Hall.

Sitting in his Grand Tutor’s chair, Elder Grand Secretary Chen meticulously scrutinized him before speaking. “This old man saw the Crown Prince’s memorial requesting commendation for you, stating you personally slew one hundred and seven Jing Dynasty rebels in battle. Is this true?”

Chen Ji lowered his head. “Not true.”

Elder Grand Secretary Chen then asked, “Is it more or less?”

Chen Ji replied truthfully, “Less.”

“Good, good, good! If you wish to achieve great things, you should not first seek power, wealth, or influence, but rather courage!” Elder Grand Secretary Chen praised him thrice. “Your monthly allowance will be raised to sixty taels, and your betrothal gifts will be equivalent to those of the legitimate sons. You will be awarded ten bolts of cloud brocade, ten mu of clan land, a Huzhou brush, and two ingots of Huizhou ink…”

Chen Lizhi, the head of the Second Branch sitting opposite Chen Liqin, suddenly said, “Patriarch, he has no attendants by his side. Let’s grant him two more maids and two footmen. I just purchased a batch of servants yesterday, and he can choose from them.”

Elder Grand Secretary Chen nodded. “Very well.”

Chen Ji was slightly taken aback. He had originally thought the atmosphere in the hall indicated a formal interrogation, a joint trial by three departments, but he hadn’t expected to be met with a series of rewards instead.

Chen Liqin lightly coughed as a reminder. “Haven’t you thanked the Patriarch?”

Chen Ji cupped his hands again. “My thanks, Patriarch.”

Elder Grand Secretary Chen instructed Chen Liqin, “Go back and write an essay. Send it by swift horse to all the prefectures, to be recited among the clan. The talented young men of the clan should take this boy as an example.”

Chen Liqin responded, “Yes, I will write it today.”

Elder Grand Secretary Chen waved his hand at Chen Ji. “You may withdraw.”

“Wait,” Chen Lizhi said solemnly. “Patriarch, I recently heard something and wish to question him about it.”

Elder Grand Secretary Chen slowly closed his eyes, neither granting nor denying permission to ask.

Seeing this, Chen Lizhi motioned towards the door.

A young man entered Wen Dan Hall from outside, cupped his hands in a salute to Elder Grand Secretary Chen, and said, “Unworthy descendant, Chen Wende, the eldest son of the Second Branch, greets the Patriarch.”

Elder Grand Secretary Chen hummed in acknowledgment, without lifting his eyelids. “Speak.”

Chen Wende turned to face Chen Ji. “Within our clan, rewards and punishments are clear: those with merit are rewarded, and those with faults are punished. I ask you, when you were in Guyuan, did your personal third-rank maid, Yao Man, secretly report to Hu Junxian, which led to Chen Wenxiao’s disgrace and ruin? Is this true?”

Here it comes. This was the real drama of the day, the dagger revealed at the end of the map.

Chen Ji calmly replied, “To my elder brother, what Chen Wenxiao did is known to all and cannot be concealed.”

Chen Wende unhurriedly said, “In front of Wen Dan Hall, you must not defy your elders. Answer only what I ask; there’s no need to bring up other matters. I’ll ask you again: Did your personal maid, Yao Man, ever inform Hu Junxian about Chen Wenxiao’s affairs?”

Chen Ji calmly said, “No.”

Chen Wende froze for a moment. After a few seconds of silence, he said, “Since you don’t admit it, I shall call a witness.”

With that, he waved towards the door, and another young man waiting outside quickly departed.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he returned leading Madam Liang. Chen Liqin’s expression changed, and he abruptly stood up. “What are you doing here, a woman, in Wen Dan Hall? Is this a place you are permitted to enter!”

Madam Liang, however, knelt on the green bricks outside Wen Dan Hall, on the verge of tears. “Reporting to the Patriarch, on that day in Guyuan, this humble concubine personally witnessed Yao Man informing Hu Junxian!”

Chen Wende swept his sleeve and turned to face Elder Grand Secretary Chen. “Patriarch, our Great Ning Law states that matters concerning private land, marriage, and debts are to be managed by the respective clans. However, in cases of criminal offenses, family members may conceal for each other. Chen Ji and Chen Wenxiao are blood brothers, yet Chen Ji indulged his maid in harming the clan’s reputation. Today, I request the family law be applied: Chen Ji to receive twenty strokes of the staff and be confined to guard the ancestral shrine for life; Yao Man to receive one hundred strokes of the staff and be sold to a livestock farm.”

Chen Ji, head bowed, slightly narrowed his eyes. “Elder Brother, Chen Wenxiao committed treason by colluding with Jing. His crime is unforgivable.”

Chen Wende unhurriedly said, “Chen Wenxiao naturally deserves to die. Even if he hadn’t died in Guyuan, the clan would have ensured his ‘sudden death’ to provide an explanation to the imperial court and the soldiers of Guyuan. We would never shelter him.”

Outside the hall, Chen Wenzong couldn’t help but step forward, but Chen Wende sharply rebuked him, “Did your elder summon you to speak? You don’t understand the rules; step back!”

Chen Wenzong froze in place.

Elder Grand Secretary Chen looked at Chen Liqin. “Chen Wenxiao is your legitimate second son. What is your view?”

Chen Liqin hesitated for a moment, then finally stood up. “This junior believes that Chen Wenxiao committed a grave error, and his crime warrants death. Yao Man, as a maid, acted above her station, and her crime is also intolerable within the Chen family. However, Chen Ji himself is not at fault; only Yao Man should be disciplined with the staff and sold.”

Chen Ji clenched his fists.

Elder Grand Secretary Chen looked at Chen Ji. “What is your view? You may defend yourself.”

Chen Ji cupped his hands and said, “Patriarch, since my elder brother has called a witness, this junior also has a witness to prove that Yao Man did not inform.”

Chen Wende frowned. “Still trying to argue?”

Chen Ji replied, neither humbly nor arrogantly, “It’s not an argument, merely proving my innocence.”

Chen Lizhi, who had been sitting upright in his chair, finally spoke. “Who is the witness?”

Chen Ji looked up, directly at everyone in the hall. “Hu Junxian.”

His words resonated.

The candlelight in the hall flickered, and everyone’s gazes, like arrows, converged on Chen Ji, as if trying to pierce through him.

But Chen Ji stood his ground, his expression unchanged. “What Yao Man said to Hu Junxian that day was merely casual conversation. At the time, Madam was several zhang away and naturally could not hear clearly; there might have been a misunderstanding. Since Second Master says Yao Man informed Hu Junxian, then I will write a letter to Guyuan, and a single inquiry will reveal the truth.”

Chen Wende fell silent, pondering his counter-strategy.

He had never expected Chen Ji to not only deny it but also to bring Hu Junxian into the matter.

But the strangest thing was, how could Chen Ji be so certain that Hu Junxian would speak in his favor?

Madam Liang wailed from outside the door, “That Hu Junxian will certainly cover for you…”

Chen Ji softly retorted, “Madam, General Hu and I have no previous connection. He is a second-rank border army general, and I am a commoner; he is a Hu, and I am a Chen. What reason would he have to cover for me? You must have misheard. If General Hu’s testimony alone is not enough, I can write another letter to Zhou You, the former Deputy General of Guyuan, who was also present.”

Madam Liang angrily rebuked him, “It’s because of your esteemed master, Wang Daosheng; they are acquainted with Wang Daosheng!”

Chen Ji continued, “Madam, you misunderstand. Hu Junxian once publicly declared that the Guyuan border army does not want people like me, presumably because he dislikes my way of doing things. Since he dislikes me, he naturally wouldn’t provide false testimony for me.”

Wen Dan Hall fell silent once more.

A moment later, Chen Ji proactively broke the silence. “Patriarch, I will write a letter today, and all elders present may review it. This junior will absolutely not conceal anything or collude with anyone. As for whether Yao Man is guilty, a decision can be made after Hu Junxian’s reply arrives.”

Elder Grand Secretary Chen, sitting in the hall, stroked his graying beard. “Very well.”

Second Master Chen Lizhi’s expression darkened. He lightly glanced at his son, Chen Wende, who then spoke again, “Patriarch, this junior has one more matter.”

Elder Grand Secretary Chen remained with his eyes closed, resting. “Speak.”

Just as Chen Wende was about to speak, someone was heard hurrying towards the hall from outside.

Everyone looked, and there was Chen Lizun, lifting the hem of his official robe, stepping into the hall.

Chen Liqin asked, puzzled, “Didn’t Elder Brother go to Tanggu?”

Chen Lizun scoffed coldly, “If someone hadn’t reported to me via swift horse, I wouldn’t have known that someone was trying to hold a trial in the manor while I was away!”

He looked at Elder Grand Secretary Chen. “Father, Chen Wenxiao colluded with the enemy and betrayed the nation. This crime transcends family rules. If we deliberately conceal it, I fear we will be impeached by the censors. When that happens, memorials like snowflakes will fly into Renshou Palace, giving the eunuch faction and the censors another opportunity to cause trouble.”

After speaking, he looked at Chen Ji, his tone softening slightly. “Don’t be afraid. You did nothing wrong in this matter; it was Chen Wenxiao who erred.”

Chen Lizhi’s gaze flickered between Chen Lizun and Chen Ji, his expression gradually growing grim.